Ceramic crowns are used during dental reconstruction to cover defective teeth. They are attached directly either to the tooth enamel or a special metal implant. Ceramic crowns are usually made from high-quality porcelain or pressed ceramics with their strength and appearance perfectly resembling that of true dental enamel.

Ceramic crowns are especially designed to provide stability, protection and an improved look to impaired teeth. They are a product of a detailed procedure which provides custom-made teeth for every patient type. Part of the requirement is to make sure the crowns are shaped exactly as the old tooth for optimum patient comfort. This is made possible by a creating a mold out of the patient’s teeth and then sending it to the laboratory to finally design the ceramic crowns.

The very first ceramic crown is a brainchild of Charles H. Land, who in 1889 created what they call back then as “jacket crowns”. These first ceramic crowns cover the teeth with porcelain but their strength was questioned after little cracks were found on the inside. The use of ceramic crowns was even more revolutionized in the late 50’s when Abraham Weinstein introduced the use of metal implants to secure the porcelain crowns. The next two decades (50’s and 60’s) witnessed a development in manufacturing which resulted to stronger and more durable ceramic crowns.

Another innovative approach in ceramic crown manufacturing happened in mid-1990s. This is when computers were first used to enable a faster, more affordable and efficient production. Thanks to this technology, a block of ceramics can now easily produce crowns guided by a computerized mold of patient’s teeth. Without any doubt, professionals working within the ceramic dentistry have more options to offer for patients with varying needs.

A recent study sponsored by the Dental Dental Plans Association shows that infrequent and improper brushing may be the biggest dental problem for America’s children. According to a recent article in the Suburban newspaper, children have below-average dental care, despite being almost universally overseen in their brushing habits by their parents. Delta Dental, the US’s largest provider of dental health insurance, has a particular interest in this information, as proper preventative care can help decrease dental costs for individuals as well as insurance companies.

Statistics Show Sub-Standard Child Brushing Behavior

“There’s clearly a need for more frequent and better education on good oral health practices,” according to one New Jersey children’s dentist, Suzy Press, D.D.S., M.S.“Regular visits to the dentist are an important part of educating kids and their parents, and maintaining lifelong oral health.” The study discovered that 35% of children do not brush their teeth twice a day, despite that being the recommended minimum. Children are also not brushing for the proper length of time, with 56% of those admitting to less-then-ideal dental health reporting that their children brush for less than two minutes, the proper time recommended by dentists.

Flossing may be the most difficult aspect of dental care for children, with only 22% of children flossing daily. And although the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children’s teeth be flossed daily, this is hardly the case for most children or adults. In fact, 48% of parents report that their children’s teeth have never been flossed.

Creative Ways to Improve Family Dental Habits

Getting kids to be interested or even compliant with brushing their teeth may take some creative thinking. There are several different things that parents can do to help improve their children’s oral health:

Kid-specific dental equipment: Finding a toothbrush that kids like may be an excellent motivational tool. Even just allowing them to choose one that is their favorite color, or emphasizing how it’s perfectly sized for their hand can help make them more interested in the toothbrush’s use. Choosing a unique toothpaste or toothbrush holder may have a similar effect.

Take turns brushing: Kids may take some time before they understand the motions and techniques that are most desirable. This learning curve may be improved by brushing the children’s teeth for them for the first half of the two-minute period, and then letting them brush on their own after that.

Reverse roles: Allowing kids to practice on your teeth may be an excellent way for them to learn the technique, and will allow you to catch any bad habits.

Visit the dentist: “If children stubbornly neglect to brush or floss, maybe it’s time to change the messenger,” according to Douglas B. Keck, D.M.D., M.S.H.Ed. “Call the dental office before the next checkup and let them know what’s going on. Kids might heed the same motivational message if it comes from a third party, especially the dentist.”

Although many home remedies may provide limited relief of dental conditions such as sensitivities and toothache, some are more effective than others. And some, such as black walnut extract, can actually make the tooth situation worse. This particular remedy has been making the rounds in Amish circles, despite a complete lack of scientific evidence or supportive data, according to a recent article in The Intelligencer Journal.

One Dentist Versus the Community

“There is the perception that black walnut extract cures cavities and as the healing progress goes along will even push out your old fillings,” according to Dr. Stephen Raffensperger, a dentist who has practiced in Intercourse, Pennsylvania for 27 years. Intercourse is a Pennsylvanian community that is known for its Amish population in addition to its distinctive name. “I’m frustrated with my inability to communicate that this is a hoax.”

Regardless of his experience working with the large Amish portion of his practice, Raffensperger says that he has been unable to make an impression with his patients regarding this remedy. “If I say directly that it doesn’t work, I’m not to be believed” he states, understandably frustrated. “Apparently the word is out that your dentist doesn’t want you to know about this. Anything I say is suspect because obviously I don’t want to go out of business. I can’t tell my patients — and I’m a chemistry major — that this doesn’t work. I’m dealing with miseducation and it’s about belief.”

The Case for Black Walnut Extract

In addition to propagation by word of mouth, an anonymously printed flyer is making its way through Amish communities protected from more traditional advertising methods. This flyer is entitled “Black Walnut: the Household Dentist,” and broadly extols the virtues of black walnut extract tincture, which it states will cure cavities in a few weeks with regular application. The flyer states that a boy who was in a bike accident and told he needed dental surgery was cured using a tincture of black walnut.

In addition to the printing presses, the online alternative dental world is showing mixed support of black walnut extract. The popular search site eHow mentions several uses for this extract, yet does not cover any dental benefits. It does, however, mention that long-term oral use may be dangerous. EarthClinic.com, SoulHealer.com and LiveStrong.com state that the extract may be used to treat and strengthen tooth enamel. SoulHealer even goes so far as to enlist the support of a doctor, Dr. Rita Louise, who believes that black walnut extract could be a miracle drug, and says so very clearly on the website.

As to these varied and unique claims, Dr. Raffensperger is at a loss as to any possible uses for black walnut extract. “I think it would stain things very nicely. In fact, I’ve seen some staining of teeth that I am not supposed to clean off because obviously it means the product is working.”